David Galloway

Butterfly Stitches (Steri Strips is a 3M-trademarked name) are great to have in your first-aid kit as they help keep cuts from becoming infected and keep scarring down. But if you don't have any on hand you can simply twist strips of medical tape to get the same effect.

Survival weblog The Modern Survival shows that medical tape can be pressed into use as a butterfly stitch if you twist the middle portion to keep from sticking to the wound. Butterfly stitches aren't designed to completely cover a small wound like a Band-Aid; instead they hold both sides of skin together. Another good way to keep a small wound closed is to use super glue. Either way, make sure any small wounds are cleaned out thoroughly and use antibiotic cream such as Neosporin before using any of these methods.